Corporate compliance update: Preparing for identity verification at Companies House

A significant change is coming to Companies House that will affect every UK company. From 18 November 2025, mandatory identity verification begins for directors and persons with significant control. The consequences of non-compliance are serious, including financial penalties, director disqualification and even criminal charges.

This article explains who needs to verify their identity, how to complete the process and the key deadlines you need to meet to avoid penalties and ensure your business can continue operating without disruption.

What is identity verification and who needs to complete it?

Under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023, individuals connected to companies must confirm their identities through an official verification process. This applies to:

• All directors (existing and new)
• Persons with significant control (PSCs)
• Relevant legal entities (RLEs)
• Anyone filing documents with Companies House

The verification must be completed before you can take up these roles or make filings. For existing directors and PSCs, there are specific deadlines to meet during the transition period.

How to complete identity verification

You have two options:

• Directly with Companies House - via the uk One Login app, through the gov.uk One Login web service or face-to-face at selected post offices
• Through an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP) - such as a solicitor, accountant or company formation agent approved by Companies House

Once verified, you'll receive a unique identifier that must be provided for all future filings.

Key dates approaching fast

Here's what's happening and when:

18 November 2025 – Mandatory verification begins:

• New directors and individual PSCs must verify before appointment
• Existing directors must verify before filing their next confirmation statement
• New PSCs have just 14 days to provide their verification code after registration
• Existing PSCs face the same 14-day deadline (timing depends on whether they're also directors)

Autumn 2026:

• Final deadline – all relevant individuals must be verified

With multiple deadlines and requirements to track, it's important to understand which timeline applies to your specific situation.

The cost of getting it wrong

Companies House has significant enforcement powers, including:

• Financial penalties and fines
• Prohibition from acting as a director or exercising control until verified
• Prevention from making any filings (which can trigger additional late filing penalties)
• Director disqualification for those who continue acting without verification
• Criminal charges – directors, PSCs or RLEs can commit an offence by acting when not verified

We understand that compliance deadlines can feel overwhelming when you're trying to run a business. The good news is that acting now gives you time to avoid these consequences.

Preparing your company now

Even though verification isn't mandatory until November, preparing in advance will help ensure compliance:

• Identify everyone who needs verification – current and future directors, PSCs and anyone who files on behalf of your company.
• Inform them about the requirements and what documentation they'll need to provide.
• Update your records to ensure all personal details are accurate and current.
• Check confirmation statement dates – existing directors must verify before their next confirmation statement, so you may have less time than you think.

Next steps

Don't risk fines, penalties or being unable to operate your business due to non-compliance. If you need help identifying who in your company needs to verify their identity or want advice on how these changes will impact your business operations, contact Brad Stewart from LCF Law, which is a registered ACSP.

Brad is an associate solicitor in our corporate team who regularly advises businesses on corporate compliance and can guide you through these new requirements to ensure your company stays on the right side of the law. You can call him on 0113 201 0404 or email ku.oc1780314919.fcl@1780314919trawe1780314919tsb1780314919.

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